Growing Papaver Somniferum Poppies

Hello, I’m a southern gardener. And I have fallen in love with growing poppies. I have at least twenty five different strains. And I’m always looking for more. I love looking at others photos. And have quite a collection my self. If you would like to start growing poppies. Or if you already have and would like to get some more seeds. Contact me. Also feel free to check out about me at myworld.ebay.com/hawk5760 Thank You! James

Comments

Uv done a fab job Hawk with ur 1st Blog :) The Pics r lovely ,It is Possible to write/type between the Photos if u want 2, I also love Poppys & have sown loads of different types for next yr so hopefuly theyl look as great as yours :)

Good blog Hawk5760.
I'm sure lots of members will be grateful for your advice on growing poppies.
Maybe you could write a blog, advising on how you grow poppies from seed.
A GoY member has kindly sent me some poppy seeds, so any advice really helpful please.
Sow them in what type of soil ?
At what temperature ?
How deep into the soil shall I place the seeds ?
Welcome to GoY.
Enjoy. :o)

You have some lovely Poppies there, and I suspect you have lots more photos to show us! I have three Oriental Poppies in my garden, which come up reliably every year. Shame they don't last long when they are so beautiful!

Hi Hawk - welcome to GoY! Growing so many varieties of Papaver somniferum I was just wondering whether the different varieties come true from seed? I have the usual single pink sort, but I will be sowing some ones with nice raggety petals in the spring - will they continue to come true in following years or will they cross breed and I'll end up with all single ones again? Thanks!

Hi sid. Since I have limeted growing space I'm forced to grow them together. Usually about 98% are pollenated before they bloom. But I still go out early every morning when they are blooming and self pollinate them with a small artist brush. But I've only been growing them for 3 years. And it's a job since the way I plant I have blooms every day from April 1 till mid June.

The little stamens are touching the crown, there for self pollenating themselfs before they open. Usually the ones that get crossed are deformed and the stamens don't develope right,(less than 5%). I don't ever cross pollenate. If I see one without stamens(deformed) I will take pollen from another flower of the same strain. Mostly I just make sure all the rest are self pollenated.

You are truely blessed. Probably blew over from a neighbor. Most of the people I have known from Europe or the surrounding area like UK to Greece have said they find them just out and about. They like cool climate. But when it gets above 87 F most will start to wilt.